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Biot
Biot
Biot
Biot
If you get lost in Biot, I would have to surmise that you are directionally disabled (or challenged). All kidding aside, biot is tiny and you should have a clear idea of your bearings. However, if you don't, get a map at the tourist office in the village center.
The map in the center is made of mosaic and is beautiful and useful.
Biot is a village of artisans so expect to see some beautiful glass work and other artistic endeavors. Biot is a relaxing day trip.
Like many small villages on the Côte d'Azur, the local population in Biot once spoke a dialect referred to as Provençal. It is a language perhaps closer to Catalan or even Italian than French. Although still spoken by some elderly, the language is rapidly disappearing. Street signs, however, in Biot continue to post the names of streets in both French and Provençal. See the attached photos for examples.
The village of Biot is known for its arts and crafts, particularly glass and pottery. Through out the streets, the people of Biot celebrate its affinity to these arts by fixing some of its crafts on the buildings and street signs. The attached photos show some of the artwork around town. In addition, there are several museums that showcase the pottery and glass manufacture traditions of the village.
Medieval villages are a bit short on gardens - that is, mostly, they don't have any. So much the nicer that outside houses separated by narrow lanes residents put out plants in pots and windowboxes in thick profusion. Watered daily, they reach up for the little sun that that passes overhead briefly between rooftops.
You cant do this in big cities. I had a beautiful big bay tree in a roman decorated pot outside my front door in London. It was beautiful and lasted nearly six months before someone stole it. Thats what big cities do to people - the anonimity grants some people the opportunity to improve their lot at your expense with little risk of consequence. Imagine in Biot if one morning you found your bay tree sitting outside the front door of Madame Lafarge opposite. "Knock knock! Madame!"
Just another hilltop village on the Côte d'Azur, Biot is only a short drive from Antibes. Although Biot's early roots date back to the pre-Roman period, the town came into light in mediaeval times when it served as the seat for a group of Knights Templar and Hospitaller. A defensive castrum or castle existed on the hill where the town is now located, but in the 14th and 15th centuries, Biot and its population were destroyed by civil war and disease. A group from Italy moved in, reconstructed and repopulated the town. Today's local population descends from those very Italians.
Biot has been known for centuries for its pottery and jars which travelled across the Mediterranean transporting olives and flour. Over the years the Biot locals added glassblowing to their historic skills and the town now boasts several small factories dedicated to the manufacture of artistic glass and jars.
The quiet village makes a nice afternoon trip from anywhere in along the Côte d'Azur.
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Address: 625 Route De La Mer, Biot, France, 06410, FR
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